The Headmaster's Office was already stretched thin by reality.
And then Velgrynd stepped fully out of Keith's necklace.
The temperature spiked.
Crimson-gold dragon mana rolled through the room like a tide—but it was controlled, dignified.
She inclined her head slightly.
"Albus Dumbledore," she greeted.
"Current guardian of this castle."
Dumbledore straightened at once, eyes sharp yet respectful.
"Lady Velgrynd," he replied calmly.
"Hogwarts is… honored."
Cedric Runcandel's portrait bowed deeply.
"On behalf of the House of Runcandel," Cedric said solemnly,
"we apologize for what my ancestor Temar's choices cost you."
Velgrynd paused.
Her eyes softened—just a fraction.
"…He was a stubborn man," she said quietly.
"But he was kind in his own way."
She glanced at Keith.
"And he raised a worthy successor."
Keith gave a small nod in return.
Merlin Tries to Intimidate a Dragon Sovereign
Merlin cleared his throat.
"Well," he said, attempting his old casual charm,
"since we're all here—perhaps a test is in order?"
His presence shifted.
Ancient magic stirred.
Runes older than Hogwarts glimmered faintly in the air.
A pressure descended—subtle, clever, meant to probe rather than crush.
Merlin smiled knowingly.
Keith blinked.
"…Is something supposed to happen?" Keith asked genuinely.
Ciel's voice echoed calmly in his mind.
Ciel: Threat level: negligible.
Attempted intimidation detected.
Result: ineffective.
The pressure shattered like mist.
Merlin's smile froze.
Velgrynd turned her head slowly.
Her eyes glowed.
"If you make any plans involving Keith," she said pleasantly,
"I will break your bones one by one."
Merlin immediately broke into a cold sweat.
"N-No plans," he said quickly.
"None at all. Harmless curiosity. Academic interest."
He nodded repeatedly.
"Very harmless."
Cedric laughed loudly.
"Still the same coward when faced with real dragons, Merlin."
"Selective survival instinct," Merlin muttered.
Another Founder Appears
Then—
Laughter.
Clear, elegant, amused.
"Oh Merlin," a woman's voice said,
"You never did learn when to stop."
Light spilled from Keith's necklace again.
A woman emerged—graceful, composed, eyes sharp with intellect and warmth.
Rowena Ravenclaw.
She was laughing.
Actually laughing.
Merlin groaned.
"Oh no. Not you too."
Rowena looked him over once and shook her head.
"Still alive," she said.
"Pity."
She turned immediately to Cedric's portrait, eyes shining.
"My favorite student," she said fondly.
"Cedric Runcandel. Still in Hufflepuff, I see."
Cedric beamed.
"And still proud of it, Founder."
The Ravenclaw portraits erupted into chatter.
"Lady Rowena!"
"You're awake!"
"Look at the castle now!"
Rowena smiled warmly at them, then turned—
And met Dumbledore's gaze.
Albus Dumbledore froze.
"…Founder Ravenclaw," he whispered.
Rowena tilted her head.
"Oh dear," she said gently.
"You look like your heart might give out."
Keith immediately reached into his space storage.
He produced a small crystal vial filled with softly glowing liquid.
"Here," Keith said calmly, handing it over.
"Heart-relief potion. Adjusted for age."
Dumbledore accepted it with trembling hands.
"…Thank you, Keith."
He drank it.
Warmth spread through his chest.
His breathing steadied.
His magic stabilized.
"…Remarkable," he murmured.
Rowena studied Keith with renewed interest.
"So," she said thoughtfully,
"this is the child who woke dragons, healed founders, and scared Merlin."
Merlin sighed.
"I'm not scared."
Velgrynd looked at him.
Merlin corrected himself instantly.
"I'm terrified."
Keith rubbed the back of his head.
"…Why does this keep happening?"
Rowena smiled.
"Because," she said softly,
"history has finally found someone it cannot ignore."